Michael Pachla: Should he stay or should he go? Cuts are coming and the question remains, which of these players will don the Blue and Gold come opening night?

First!!!

I’m just about done with Botterill and Kruger isn’t starting off on the right foot either. These cowards made lies the fans wanted to hear about how the roster would be a competition and they’d ice the best possible roster. Well look now, VLADIMIR SOBOTKA is on the 2nd bleepin line with 9 million-dollar JEFF SKINNER!!! Girgensons, Okposo, Scandella all in the lineup. Asplund, Thompson and Lazar all played better. Heck, even Cozins played better. I don’t want to hear crap about Thompson being better in Rochester getting more minutes. Maybe create a real 4th line and have the balls to send down your busted players. No one’s taking Okposo or Scandella’s contracts but sending them down sends a message to your fans and your team that you’re not going to stand for mediocrity! Instead, we get an incredibly uninspiring lineup. A 2nd line center who hasn’t played there in years but was forced to because golden boy Casey still looks like crap. Rodrgues, Vesey and Sheary all on lower lines than Sobotka and Kruger’s over here telling us Girgensons is a (frank)ing threat to score?! I don’t think I’ve been this dissatisfied with the team to start the season since before Eichel.

The nacho cheese diet Botts is on has made him crazy. The roster this season is top line heavy again. Doesn’t look to be to entertaining of a season.

You're pre-supposing that he is going to try to explain away mediocrity.

As he said on Saturday, this is just the beginning. The 23 best players don't all make the roster out of camp and that's ok. It's a long season and some of these guys are young.



The guy is trying to build his players confidence through the media, which I understand.

I don’t see him making roster changes before Christmas. Which makes for a slow and boring start IMO

I’m just about done with Botterill and Kruger isn’t starting off on the right foot either. These cowards made lies the fans wanted to hear about how the roster would be a competition and they’d ice the best possible roster. Well look now, VLADIMIR SOBOTKA is on the 2nd bleepin line with 9 million-dollar JEFF SKINNER!!! Girgensons, Okposo, Scandella all in the lineup. Asplund, Thompson and Lazar all played better. Heck, even Cozins played better. I don’t want to hear crap about Thompson being better in Rochester getting more minutes. Maybe create a real 4th line and have the balls to send down your busted players. No one’s taking Okposo or Scandella’s contracts but sending them down sends a message to your fans and your team that you’re not going to stand for mediocrity! Instead, we get an incredibly uninspiring lineup. A 2nd line center who hasn’t played there in years but was forced to because golden boy Casey still looks like crap. Rodrgues, Vesey and Sheary all on lower lines than Sobotka and Kruger’s over here telling us Girgensons is a (frank)ing threat to score?! I don’t think I’ve been this dissatisfied with the team to start the season since before Eichel.
- bluengold12

Decaf.

Sobotka was on that line at one practice.

JFC.

Olofsson Eichel Sheary
Skinner Johansson Reinhart
Vesey Mittlestadt Rodrigues
Lazar Larsson Thompson

Dahlin Miller
Montour (When healthy) Risto
McCabe Joker

It's not that hard!

The nacho cheese diet Botts is on has made him crazy. The roster this season is top line heavy again. Doesn’t look to be to entertaining of a season.
- washedup20

The cheese runneth over

Decaf.

Sobotka was on that line at one practice.

JFC.
- Powerslave

It's not just about Sobotka being on t he 2nd line. It's about them not having the guts to cut Okposo or Girgensons in favor of better, younger players

You're pre-supposing that he is going to try to explain away mediocrity.

As he said on Saturday, this is just the beginning. The 23 best players don't all make the roster out of camp and that's ok. It's a long season and some of these guys are young.



The guy is trying to build his players confidence through the media, which I understand.

I don’t see him making roster changes before Christmas. Which makes for a slow and boring start IMO
- washedup20

There's a difference between talking up your players and being stubborn. They have better players yet refuse to play them because of money and veteran bias dated viewpoints.

It's not just about Sobotka being on t he 2nd line. It's about them not having the guts to cut Okposo or Girgensons in favor of better, younger players
- bluengold12

Who are the "better, younger players" at this point?

Thompson, maybe? Maybe.


Who else?

Are we talking about Curtis Lazar and his grand total of 3 NHL goals since 2016?

Is Asplund ready? Or are we going to rush another kid, ala Casey, Thompson, who isn't ready and hope he's not ruined after he fails up here?

Am inclined to let the season unfold a little bit before I decide on a Peace Bridge jump

It's not just about Sobotka being on t he 2nd line. It's about them not having the guts to cut Okposo or Girgensons in favor of better, younger players
- bluengold12

they're not going to cut Okposo...he'll cost $5m against the cap

I'm just here for the butthurt.

they're not going to cut Okposo...he'll cost $5m against the cap
- Michael Pachla

A bunch of teams just released higher cap hit players. It's called holding your players accountable.

Who are the "better, younger players" at this point?

Thompson, maybe? Maybe.


Who else?

Are we talking about Curtis Lazar and his grand total of 3 NHL goals since 2016?

Is Asplund ready? Or are we going to rush another kid, ala Casey, Thompson, who isn't ready and hope he's not ruined after he fails up here?
- Powerslave

I see you're ready for today's talking points of us being playoff caliber if Lazar and Asplund are with the Sabres.

Am inclined to let the season unfold a little bit before I decide on a Peace Bridge jump
- Michael Pachla

Word

It's hard not to see some hope for that lineup. But I'm curious why not have Jeff and Jack together? I know last season imploded but they sure seem to have a certain chemistry possible.

Edit: quote not working, was replying to bluengold12's roster.

Who are the "better, younger players" at this point?

Thompson, maybe? Maybe.


Who else?

Are we talking about Curtis Lazar and his grand total of 3 NHL goals since 2016?

Is Asplund ready? Or are we going to rush another kid, ala Casey, Thompson, who isn't ready and hope he's not ruined after he fails up here?
- Powerslave

I'd take everyone of those guys over the same crap from the same under performing clusterF of a bottom six. We all know what the definition of insanity is... Wish Botterill knew too...

I see you're ready for today's talking points of us being playoff caliber if Lazar and Asplund are with the Sabres.
- TheSabresTaco

Smdh

A bunch of teams just released higher cap hit players. It's called holding your players accountable.
- bluengold12

Oh reery? Care to elaborate? Go find me a contract from this list.

https://www.capfriendly.com/transactions/waivers

I see Sven Baertschi.. At least the good ol' Canucks helped out.

I'd take everyone of those guys over the same crap from the same under performing clusterF of a bottom six. We all know what the definition of insanity is... Wish Botterill knew too...
- bluengold12

I said it Saturday.

The definition of insanity is saying the same thing over and over again on this website and expecting a different result.

Am inclined to let the season unfold a little bit before I decide on a Peace Bridge jump
- Michael Pachla

Boring.

Smdh
- Powerslave

Go get your helmet and pads, these takes are going to come flying from everywhere, 1000 MPH

Am inclined to let the season unfold a little bit before I decide on a Peace Bridge jump
- Michael Pachla

Not about to jump but maybe I'm about to jump off the Sabres bandwagon. Botterill has not done a good job as the gm of this team thus far and I'm ready to debate that with anyone. I didn't expect any big trades this week. Just ice your best possible roster for your players and your fans. Guess that was asking too much...